Long Beach woman choreographs Super Bowl commercial

One of the most popular commercials that aired during this year's Super Bowl has a Long Island connection.

The spoof of the 1980s classic film "Dirty Dancing," starring New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning and wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., was choreographed by Stephanie Klemons, of Long Beach.

"It was awesome," she says. "I've never met a football player in person. They're huge. They're as big as you'd think they'd be and such hard workers."

Klemons is best known as the associate choreographer for the Broadway smash hit "Hamilton." She was also a member of the show's original cast.

Klemons says choreographing professional athletes was a lot like working with professional dancers.

"I was so impressed at their ability to take notes, to be coachable," she says. "They took every single dance step the way a Broadway performer would."

One thing that has viewers scratching their heads about the commercial is how Manning was able to hold Beckham Jr. in the air, replicating the famous gravity-defying pose from the movie. But sadly, Klemons kept her lips sealed on that one.

"There's TV magic," she says. "We're going to keep that to ourselves for years to come."